Clemson takes down Presbyterian 83-44 in Friday night exhibition
CLEMSON — Clemson Basketball returned to Littlejohn Coliseum on Friday night and the Tigers routed Presbyterian 83-44 in exhibition play, but this wasn’t the same Clemson team fans saw last season.
With 10 new faces in uniform, Brad Brownell’s Tigers looked every bit like a group still learning each other’s tendencies—and, for stretches, each other’s names.
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The early minutes were rough. Clemson fell behind 15–10 amid a blur of rushed shots and careless turnovers before Efram “Butta” Johnson changed the tone. The UAB transfer drilled three straight threes midway through the first half, sparking the offense to a 25-4 run to close out the first half.
That triggered a scoring drought that left Presbyterian without a field goal for nearly eight minutes. By halftime, Clemson led 35–19, and the outcome was never in doubt again.
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If the night showed anything, it’s that Brownell’s rotation has depth—and that the pieces are still being arranged.
Twelve players saw the floor, ten reached double-digit minutes, and nearly all flashed something that could translate when the games start to count.
Middle Tennessee State transfer Jestin Porter led the Tigers with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, looking confident running the offense alongside Dillon Hunter, who logged a steady, under-control night at the point.
Nick Davidson, the highly regarded transfer from Nevada, finished with 12 points with an efficient 5-of-7 night from the field, mixing touch with toughness around the rim.
True freshman Zac Foster showed both promise and polish, scoring 10 points and leading Clemson in minutes. Brownell and his staff spent much of the game in his ear—sometimes literally—refining shot selection and decision-making.
Foster still plays with traces of his high school rhythm, but it’s easy to see why the staff is investing in him.
Another freshman, Chase Thompson, made his presence known in a louder way—four dunks, including a soaring putback that drew a full-bench reaction. His energy off the glass and on defense gave the Tigers some pop in transition.
Carter Welling, a transfer from Utah Valley, was quietly one of the more effective pieces. He finished with eight points, eight rebounds, and a pair of steals; he was a steadying post presence who played within himself.
The only real concern came when forward RJ Godfrey limped off midway through the first half after rolling his left ankle. He returned briefly and appeared fine, but the staff kept him out of the second half. It appeared to be more of a measure of precaution than panic.
Statistically, Clemson checked every expected box.
The Tigers shot 50-percent from the field and 38% from three while holding Presbyterian to 34% overall and just one make from deep.
They forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 21 points, while committing only six themselves.
For an exhibition, it was exactly what you’d hope for, a game that exposed flaws early, rewarded defensive effort late, and provided a long look at how newcomers fit together.
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There will be plenty of growing pains for a roster this new, but the athleticism and length across the rotation suggest Clemson has more options, and more energy, than it did a year ago.
The challenge now becomes molding that depth into identity.
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Clemson opens its regular season on Monday, Nov. 3, at home against New Hampshire at 7p.m. The game will air on ACCNX.
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